SANDY LAKE FIRST NATION — A forest fire that put members of a construction crew in grave danger on the weekend continues to burn near the Sandy Lake First Nation.
The Ministry of Natural Resources reported that Red Lake fire number 12 exhibited "minimal growth" Sunday, and scattered showers were forecast over the next 24 to48 hours.
The MNR reported Sunday night that the fire, which has burned 156,000 hectares, remained about 6.5 km from the remote community, located nearly 400 km north of Kenora.
Members of a construction crew working in the Sandy Lake area found themselves in a dangerous predicament Saturday when the fire got so close they had to seek refuge in shipping containers.
No evacuation order was in place yet when they began their work day, but Winnipeg-based Sigfusson Northern had initiated an aircraft evacuation plan as a precaution.
Unfortunately, the plan was obstructed when fire activity made the local runway inaccessible.
14 employees of the company, and four other workers, were eventually able to get out but the company called the incident "a difficult experience."
One member of the crew told the Globe and Mail the containers caught fire as they scrambled to reach a safer area, saying "it was like watching what could have happened to us — how we also could have perished in that big blaze."
In a news release Sunday, Sigfusson Northern said all the workers have been reunited with their families, and are receiving counselling and wellness services.
"We commend our crews for their remarkable professionalism, courage and calm response. Their adherence to our emergency protocols and quick decision-making directly contributed to their safety," it said.
The MNR said it is transitioning its strategy on the fire to defensive tactics to prioritize the safety of the community.
Crews are working with Sandy Lake firefighters to deploy fire protection including sprinklers and hoselines, and to set up a perimeter line on the west side with heavy equipment.
After an evacuation order was issued Saturday for members of the community of about 3,000, and multiple flights on Canadian Forces Hercules aircraft were made to Thunder Bay, which is serving as what the city describes as a hybrid evacuation hub.
Evacuees are being provided with a place to rest before being transferred to various southern Ontario centres for longer-term accomodation.
